Editor's note: Due to a photographer's error, the photo cutline in this story contained the wrong name. The woman reacting to the vote at the Eastham Town Meeting is Adele Blong.

EASTHAM — A standing ovation, cheers and maybe a few tears followed the town moderator's announcement that town meeting passed a municipal water system with no debate Monday night.

The vote, 858-140, was remarkable for its brevity. Previous town meeting questions on town water, which have come up repeatedly through the years and been defeated, have dragged on for hours.

But Monday night, as soon as two selectmen introduced the question, which would raise and appropriate $45.8 million to provide municipal water to one-third of the town, Richard Ryder, a citizen, made it to the microphone first.

He asked to call the question, "in deference to the 1,100 people here."

It took about 35 minutes to count all the voting cards in the packed Nauset Regional High School gymnasium.

But when the count was revealed, the room erupted in applause like a cork popping after years of built-up pressure.

"It's almost like a dream," said Kara Risk, a pro-water activist. "It's just amazing."

The outcome was also rare in Eastham because the vote wasn't even close. Earlier articles related to town water at previous town meetings have failed to obtain the super majority, two-thirds, by a handful of votes.

Town meeting concluded Monday, but water wasn't the only consideration. Other items on the warrant included two debt exclusions. One of those, $700,000 to dredge Rock Harbor, passed 567-147.

The Finance Committee had recommended against the dredging by a vote of 4-2 because of the added debt to the town.

But Selectman Wallace Adams argued that dredging is important to maintain one of the town's assets, similar to the upkeep necessary for the beaches.

The other debt exclusion, to finance Eastham's portion of the Nauset Regional Middle School roof repair for a cost of $347,207, also passed.

The water article will be paid for through taxation on every property owner, regardless of whether they are among the 2,056 people to get water.

For the owner of a home valued at $400,000, the water system will cost $6,662 spread out over the 20-year life of the loan at a 2 percent interest rate.

Those who will get water include 656 people living around the landfill, where contaminated water has been found in private wells. The system also will bring water to 80 percent of the town businesses, since it will run along Route 6. And it will provide fire hydrants to 80 percent of the town.

Among the other 40 articles on the warrant, the expenditure of $1.4 million in Community Preservation Act funds to purchase 3.41 acres of waterfront property next to Rock Harbor was approved. The land will be used by dog walkers and beachgoers and preserved as open space.

Voters also approved the proposal to spend $20,000 to rent equipment so that the town can try out electronic voting in 2015.